When foreign shows were first broadcasted in India under the banner of Star TV, no one had ever estimated that they would become so popular and eventually a part of our routine lives. Television was not as popular as it is now days and the only channel that was broadcasted was Doordarshan. Our scope was limited and so was our access to technology. English was perceived as the language of the elite and hence was limited to a very few. The very idea that foreign shows could be accepted seemed absurd at the time. Yet, when these channels were broadcasted they gained immense popularity in a relatively short period of time. The graph of their success soared so high that it over-shadowed the Indian shows. The idea of having a 'robot daughter' was luring and so was the thought of having a 'cartoon family'. The concepts were new and enticing to the viewers as they not only had something unseen in them but also were a window to the western world.
Sensing the growing popularity of television in India and backed up by India's liberal foreign policy, India's draw towards foreign shows began. On one hand an increasing number of foreign channels were being broadcasted, while on the other hand local channels too started taking light. These channels had shows that talked about Indian household and social issues. But gradually people started moving away from these Indian classics as the content became more dramatic and distant from reality. "Indian shows now-a-days have a common storyline of saas-bahus and a villian who is trying tooth and nail to inflict misery in the lives of the protagonist. These shows lack concept and focus and show stereotypical mindset of Indians", says Monisha S. Kapoor, a student of Fashion Media Communication.
Sensing the colossal popularity of these shows, Indian show-makers adapted their concepts and produced their Indian versions. Karishma-Ka-Karishma was the Indian adaptation of the popular Star TV show Small Wonder, Suite Life of Zack and Cody became Suite Life of Karan and Kabir, American Idol was Indianized as Indian Idol, Master Chief Australia became Master Chief India and Big Brother became Big Boss. Even on having such a creative concept in hand, these shows failed to make a mark.
People wanted a change. They wanted to explore and get out of the pigeon holed concepts that had dominated the Indian TV screens since past few decades. They wanted shows that were moresensible and to which they could relate. They were looking for shows where tears actually made sense and the people didn't come back from the dead following the popularity of the character. They wanted shows that were closer to reality than changing face of Meher in Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi. They wanted shows where people didn't marry thrice over a confusion in love like Jagiya in Balika Vadhu and where horror scared people rather than making them gag over a sad parody. According to the television critics, the primary cause of the decreasing popularity of the Indian shows is the script, which is mainly revolving around the TRPs instead of focussing on the storyline. The end result is that they end up failing both in terms of the TRPs and the script.
"Shows from the west have it all, story, script, sets and more importantly sense", comments Nipun Vaid, who's a student of MBA-IB. The shows telecasted on these foreign television networks have gathered a huge fan-following. They have not only opened doors to the much revered western society but also have given wings to the imaginations and the aspirations. They have paved way for the cultural exchange and in their own distinct way let everyone be a part of their community. Being strong on their script and storyline, the shows broadcasted on these channels sketch their stories in a way that doesn't undermine the theme. They accentuate the theme with such clarity and precision that captures the audience attention and makes them loyal enough to follow these shows season after season.
Shows like Supernatural and Vampire Diaries cater our imagination and give us a thought to think about the world beyond. Big Bang and Dexter fuel the desire to know more explore more and think more. Once Upon a Time and Merlyn take us back to our childhood and make us believe that 'Happy Ever After' does exist. Comedy classics like Mr. Bean and Two and a Half Men make us forget our chaotic lives for some time and remind us that laughter is the best remedy after all!
Remember, how friendship was redefined when Yang tells Meredith "You are my person", in Grey's Anatomy and how heartbreaking it felt when she left saying "I can't go. We have to dance it out. That's how we finish"? Remember, how conveniently Barney tells us his mantra of being happy in How I Met Your Mother, when he says "Whenever I'm sad, I stop being sad and be awesome instead" or how rude becomes logical when House says "Everybody lies" or how scared we get when Oliver with his bow and arrow says "You have failed this city"?
These shows engender a sense of belief in the happy endings and all the virtues that we hardly come across these days. They provide an alternative reality where we cam live the way we want to live and be who we want to be. "They make me feel lively when I'm low. I can identify with some characters very loosely at times. They help me to remain optimistic in life", says Isha Fuletra, who is a 2nd year student in the Department of Nanotechnology. For Medha Aggarwal, who is a final year Law student, its all about connection and understanding. "They help me to associate with things that are beyond my scope of everyday life. They taught me to deal with pain through humor", she says.
These shows have become a modern age cult-phenomenon. They have not only challenged the previously set standards but also transformed the definition of style. When Harvey tells his fellow DA "I don't get lucky. I make my own luck" and walks out of the court, no one sees it as rude. Rather, his style exudes confidence which enthralls everybody. When Daenerys Targaryen proclaims, "A Dragon is not a slave", no one dares to question her back.
These shows apart from being our virtual home have become a part of our personal victories. Time and again, they have given us strength and motivation to fight back and master our own fate. In their victories, we see our victories and in their failure we cry. "I see myself in Yang. The ambition and the desire to be great", says Saranya, a research scholar at Amity Institute of Nanotechnology.
Audience have love them and so have the critics. Shows like Game of Thrones, Friends, House M.D. enjoy a high rating on reputed TV and movie analytic sites like Imdb and Rotten Tomatoes. Grey's Anatomy, which has been on air since past 10 years rates 4.7/5 on Rotten Tomatoes Whereas Friends enjoys a rating of 9/10 on Imdb.
"Foreign shows have a touch of reality and focus which seriously lacks in their Indian Counterpart. In their shows doctors are human and do 'doctorly' stuff, we on the other hand are engrossed in our love affairs", says Mayank Sapru, who works in Cognizant India. Agrees Poulami Das, an MCA student, "I have started identifying the medical jargons whenever I visit a doctor, since I have following House".
These shows have not only entertained us but also inspired and educated us. They have taught us many important lessons of life. They have given us a hope to hold on to and have taught us to belief and fight back. Ultimately, they have shown us who we are and who we want to be. Highlighting the intricacies of delicately interwoven relationships of the modern world, they have shown us the reflection of our own perceptions, dreams and aspirations...
